Apparatus for impressing transfer designs upon pottery blanks



Feb. 9, 1954 N. v. GERMANY 1 2,668,383

APPARATUS FOR IMPRESSING TRANSFER DESIGNS UPON POTTERY BLANKS Filed Dec. 18, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet l 66 fig. 1

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j [In/en for 3/Vbr'm an Germany Feb. 9, 1954 N. v. GERMANY 2,668,383

-APPARATUS FOR IMPRESSING TRANSFER DESIGNS UPON POTTERY BLANKS Filed Dec. 1a, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor 1 18 3 6 Norman Ver'marzy Feb. 9, 1954 v, GERMANY 2,668,383 APPARATUS FOR IMPRESSING TRANSFER DESIGNS UPON POTTERY BLANKS 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 18, 1948 'fm/en tor Norman I/ermcmy By mey Feb. 9, 1954 N. v. GERMANY 2,668,383 APPARATUS FOR IMPRESSING TRANSFER DESIGNS UPON POTTERY BLANKS Filed Dec. 18, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Inventor Norman Vermarzy Patented F ch. 9, 1954 DESIGNS UPON POTTERY BLANKS Norman Victor- Germany, Lecester England,- as.-

s'ignon toUni-te'd Shoe Mac Flemington;

ery." Corporation,

N. J., a corporation of New Jersey Application Iicemiier 18, 1948, Serial No. 66,111

15- Claims. (01. 41-1) This invention relates to apparatus for use in ornamenting work pieces and more particularly to apparatus for impressing paint from atransfer upon a pottery blank.

In themanufacture of ceramic were, such for example as earthenware plates and dishes, accordance with a common proc dure. a moist mate'rial having a clay basis is first s aped in a cor'd'anc'ewith the Shape of the article to be made and is then dr'i'ed.- Attl'fis Stage the" fnatriatI is iiia very rrague conditionand as little or no water resistance but would rapidly disintegrate i'i immersedifi water. It's outer surface ma if desired, be carefully smoothed down by hand 115- mg a suitable abrasive. The material is then fired at a temperature of the order of 1 100 C. te provide a blank which is relatively strong and water resistant but may" be somewhat rough and porous. The blank is freed from dust and loose particles andis then in condition to be ornamented an lazed. I p g It is common to ornament such a blank by the; use a transfer of a type comprising'asheetof paper or similar material carrying on one side a pattern: executed a suitable coloring matter orpaint'. The painted side oi thet'rarls fer' be" applied to the blank by hand and pressed into smooth and intimate contact with theblank by the use of a piece of soft felt or flannel and a little soft soap may" be used as an emollient Subsequentlya processwh'ich is some times referred. to as rubbing-on is effected causing the paint to be impressed upon the roughand porous blank so that when the blank is dipped in water and the paper is removed from the-blank'by hand thepalntremainsohth'e bla'i'ikandv little or none is removed with the paper; Following removal of the transfer paper'thefblank is fired at a temperature of the order: of 600*" Cl toburn out any oil in the paint so that it will have'no adverse effect during subsequentg'lazing'.

The process referred to as rubbing-on hasin the past beerf customarily effected by hand by employing: astifr bristledbru'sli iike' tool whicl r is appliedf ot the transfer-coated blank wit a severe rubbing action. This action" requires consi'tlerable Skill and manual efioii'fand there is always: a possibility that the o eration may be performed inade uately so that an undesirably large quantity ofthe paint is subsequently re? moved with thepap'er or is removedunevenly so thatithe paint is: not wen impressed onthe blank atalltpa rtsthereof. v V

7 It: is anobject ofr'th'e present iiivention to-pro vide improved" apparatus for impressing paint 2 or from a transfer upon a pottery blank, the appae' rates being fast, reliable, and requiring little skill on thepart of the operator. Y

As illustrated herein the work is acted upon by a; pair of flexible, impervious diaphragms between which the work is placedy the diaphragms birlg carried by supports which form withthe diaphragms chambers into which pressure; fluid is" introduced to force the diaphragms toward each other. One of the supports is arranged for movement toward and awayfrom the 0ther1 to move the diaphragrhs together or to. separate them; placing of the work therebetween being facilitated by separating the dia'phragms. To, insure against ruptureof the diaphragms when pressure fluid is admitted intothechambers formed by the' diaphragm and their supports; andin accordance with a feature ofthe invention, provision is made for preventing admission or the pressure: fluid into the chambersuntil the movable support has been moved to carry its diaphragm into operative relation to the diaphragm on the other-support;

To insure intimate contact between the dia-' phra'gmsand: the work and in accordance with another feature of the invention, air is exhaust: ed" from the space between the diaphragms prior to: the admission of pressure fiuid'into, the cham' hers, there being a sealing: ring associated with oneof said diaphragmswhich cooperates with theo'therdiaphragm to form a closed work chamber therebetween when the; diaphragms are inoperative positionszrelativelyto a work piece. I The movablediaphragm support is arranged to be moved toward; the other support by pressure fluid, there being a valve movable into differentpositi'onsto cause movement of the dia-' phragm support, to exhaust air from the space between the diaphragms and to admit pressure fluidinto the chambers to force the diaphragms into engagement with the work, In accordance with a f-urther featureof the invention,- mechanism is provided; to insure completion of each: stepin the operation in the sequence as stated: above before the: valve can be moved to initiate thenext stepinthe operation. ,7 V

It: may be desira-ble to spray with Water that diaphragm which acts directly on the-transfer, prior to the application of; pressure by the ,diaphragms to the work. To this end and in accordance with" a still further feature of; the" invention a spray nozzle is provided which may be directed? toward that diaphragm which is ,arranged to engage the=top -of= the work; thereibeing means forautomatical-ly admitting water to said aeeasee spray nozzle momentarily in the movement of the movable diaphragm toward the other diaphragm. It may be desirable to provide a second spray nozzle by which water may be directed onto the lower diaphragm in those instances in which transfers are to be placed on opposite sides of the work and in this event automatic operation of the sprays may be eliminated and the sprays operated manually so that the diaphragms may be wet before the work is placed on the lower diaphragm.

The above and other features of the invention including various details of construction and novel combinations of parts will now be described by reference to the drawings and pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings,

Fig. l is a front elevation of one form of machine embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the machine shown in Fig. 1;

' Fig. 3 is a detail view on a larger scale of a portion of the mechanism for operating a water supply valve;

' Fig. 4 is a vertical section through the lower portion of the machine;

Fig. 5 is a detail view of a latch associated with the main control valve;

Fig. 6 is a view of the latch of Fig. 5 in a diiferent position;

Fig. 7 is a front elevation of mechanism for controlling the operation of the valve;

Fig. 8 is a developed sectional view of the mechanism shown at the upper portion of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a section through the valve controlling the suction line by which air is exhausted from the space between the diaphragms;

Fig. 10 is a section of a portion of a pair of diaphragms for operating upon a plate, and.

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 10 of a pair of diaphragms designed for operation on a cup.

As shown in Fig. 4 the work is operated upon by a pair of diaphragms l0 and I2, the diaphragm lil forming the top wall of a pressure chamber [4 the other walls of the chamber being formed by a box it. This box has an outwardly extending flange [8 near its upper end against which the marginal portions of the diaphragm H3 are clamped by a ring and screws 22. The diaphragm I2 is similarly clamped to a disk or support 24 having a downwardly extending flange 28 over which the diaphragm is stretched so that a chamber 28 is formed between the diaphragm l2 and the support 24. With the diaphragms in operative relation to a work piece such as a plate P air is exhausted from the space between the diaphragms through a pipe 38 which communicates by way of a port 32 (Fig. 10) in a ring 34 which seats on the lower diaphragm l0 and is located in position by the heads of the screws 22. The ring 34 forms, with the diaphragms, a closed chamber as shown in Fig. 4. After the air has been exhausted from between the diaphragms, pressure fluid such as air is admitted into the chambers 54 and 28 as will be hereinafter explained, to force the diaphragms under high pressure into contact with the opposite faces of the work,

The box IE carrying the lower diaphragm H] is supported on a base 35 and is secured thereto by clamps 38 (Fig. l). Carried by and extending upwardly from the base at opposite sides of the box [6 are supporting posts 46 for a slide 42 provided with bearing sleeves 44 which have a sliding lit with the posts 40. The upper 4 ends of the posts 40 are interconected by a crosshead 46 which also is connected to a hollow post 48 (Fig. 2) extending upwardly from the base at the rear of the box 6.

The support 24 for the upper diaphragm I2 is carried by the slide 42. For securing the support to the slide the support is provided with upwardly extending ears 50, 52, 54 (Fig. 1). The ears 5B, 52 are located rearwardly of the car 54 and are hooked over pins 56 carried between ears 5% depending from the slide 42. The ear 54 is held by a removable pin 60 carried by spaced ears 62 depending from the slide 42.

The slide 42 carrying the upper pressure chamber is normally held in a raised position as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. For this purpose the slide 42 has connected thereto a chain 64 which passes upwardly over a pair of pulleys 6E journaled in the crosshead 46 and then passes down into the hollow post 48. The lower end of the chain is secured to the upper end of a tension spring 68, the lower end of which is secured at '10 (Fig. 4) to the lower end of the post 48, the posts 40 carrying adjustable collars 2 for limiting the upper position of the slide 42 under the action of the spring 68.

For moving the support 42 downwardly after a work piece has been placed on the lower diaphragm It the crosshead 46 carries a depending tube 14 (Fig. 2) within which operates a plunger it engaging an abutment 18 on the slide 42. The upper end of the plunger has formed thereon a piston which fits within the upper end of the tube '54 so that upon the admission of pressure fluid into the upper end of the tube by way of a pipe 32 the plunger I6 forces the slide 42 downwardly to carry the support 24 and its diaphragm 52 into sealing engagement with the ring 34 and into operative relation to the work.

Extending outwardly from the bearing sleeves 44 are bosses 84 to which are pivoted downwardly extendin links 86. The lower ends of these links are pivotally connected between arms 88, 96, the arms 38 being connected to the outer ends of a shaft 92 journaled in the base 36 and the arms being carried by pins 94 which are in axial alinement with the shaft 92. The arrangement is such that upon movement of the slide 42 from its upper to its lower position the shaft 92 is turned through and is turned in the opposite direction back to its original position upon return movement of the slide 42 to its upper position, the purpose of which will appear as the description proceeds.

Air is admitted into the upper pressure cha ber 28 through a flexible tube 96 the upper end of which is secured to a nipple 98 which communicates with a passage 10% in a fitting I02 threaded into the slide 42. This fitting has a smooth bearing surface which engages a complementary bearing surface on the support 24 having a passage m4 communicating with the passage I80 in the fitting i512. The pressure fluid is admitted into the lower chamber l4 through a pipe I05, a passage 38 formed in the contacting surfaces of the base 36 and box IE, and a port l H) in the bottom wall of the box. For controlling the admission of pressure fluid into the chambers l4 and 28 by way of pipes 186 and 96 a control valve H2 is provided. This valve includes a valve housing H4 fitted into the front wall of the base 36 and providing a chamber for a slide valve member H6 provided at its outer end with a knob H8 by which the slide valve member is moved rearwardly. The slide valve pump (not shown).

member is normally urged forwaruiybya spring I- surrounding astemprojecting rearwardly from the slide valve member, this spring acting between abracket- F2 2- depending from the' top wall of the base 36 and a collar I24 secured to the valve stem which projects rearwardly' from the-housing H 4. r K

The' va-lve member i lt includ es'an element I26 which normally prevents flow of pressure fluid the upper-pressure chamber 28' and is alsocon- I nected to the" pipe IUli-by which the-fluidis conducted intothe lower" pressure chamber I4.

With the machine not in operation and the valve member H6 in its: forwardmost position the collar I 24 is-loca-ted just forwardly of a pawl I carried by theshaft 92. This pawl is mounted on the shaft for-turning movement relatively thereto and also for' movement therewith. As shown in Fig. 7 a collar I42 is secured to the shaft 92 tothe left of the pawl I40. The pawl ha's'a bore therethrough parallel to the shaft 92 in which. are two hardened steel balls I44, I46 maintained in separated positions as shown in Fig: 7- bya' spacingbl'ock I48. Secured to a bearing I50 for the shaft 92 is a facin piece I52 engageable with the right side of the pawl I40. The ball' I44 engages'thecollar' I42 andthe ball I48 i'sengageabl'e. with the. facing piece I52.

When the machine is not operating, the pawl It!) occupies the position. shown. in Fig. 5 as stated heretofore'and cooperates with the collar I'24- to prevent rearwardv movement of the valve member H6: At this time the"ball"l46 occupies ashallow radial V'-shaped' groove I54 in the facing. piece I52,,thus' holding the pawl I40 against rotation; When, however, the support 24' is'movedi downwardly by the admission of pressure fluid throughthe pipe 82 (Fig. 2) and the shaft .92 is rotated. through approximately" 160 from the position of: Fig; 5} during. which time the pawl" I40 remains stationary; a groove I56 iii the coll'ar- I42'moves'into"register with theball I44whi1e at the" sametime' a pin; I58 fixed" to the collar I42 moves. intoengagement with a pin I60 proiecting'laterally from the pawl I40. During the remaining 20 of rotation of the shaft 92 the pawl I402 by reason" of the engagement of itspin I60 with the" pin I58" will move with the shaft swinging, the pawl I 40v into the position shown irrFi'g; 6: Durin -.thismovement of the pawl I40 the ball: I4'6'moves" out of the groove I54'which movement is permittediby reason of movement of the-ball- I44 into the groove I56in the collar I'42and'thus the collar and the pawl are locked together? f Mountedon the left side of the base 36 is, a valve I62 which normally prevents communication between-the pipe 82 and' a pipe I 64'c'onnected to a-source'ofpressure-fluid'; After a work piece is in'serted' in the machine a lever I66 of thervalvei isdepressed to connect the pipes I64, 8 whereupon' the slide 42 is forced downwardly as-heretofore explainediand the shaft 9-2is turned through.-180?'- duringzth'e last'portion ofwhich the pawl I40. is: movedafmm the positionof Fig." 5"

into the posit'ionshownin 6.- The operatdi may now move the valve member l I6 rear' wardly until the collar IZ E engages a; vertically slidable stop I 68 at which time the pipe |30-i s incommunication with the pipe I 28 butthe pipe I 32 is still not communication therewitht The piston rod [3 8' is" provided Witha bore- [10' extending diametrically therethrough and pro-- viding communication when the piston has moved' forwardlyas shown in Fig; 4 between; the pipe til and a pipe I12 (Fig. 9) connected withas'ui-t' able vacuumpump (notshown). The pipes- 30- and H2 communicate withports I14, I16 a; block I 18 which forms the forward Wall of the cylinder I 34 and these portscommuni'cate with" each" other through the-port I10 in the piston rod I'3B with the piston in its forwardmost positicih Carrie'dlby the forward endof the piston rod IE8 is atransversely extending bar I (Figs, 1 and a) to which are connected rearwardly errtending tension springs I82 the rear ends of which are secured to pins extending lat'er'all't from the opposite sides of" the block I 18 so that the springs urge'thepiston- I'36rearwardly As shown in Fig. 1 the links 86 project downwardly below their pivotal connections with the arms 00 the arrangement being such that with the slide 42 in its lowermost position these down ward'ly projecting portionsof thelinks 86 are inthe path of movement of the ends of the bar I30". Consequently upon admission of pressure fluid into-the cylinder I34 causing forward movement of the piston I30 which movement cannot take place until the slide 4'2 has completed its downward movement by reasonof the locking engagement of'the pawi I40 with the collar' I24 on the stem of valve member N6, the bar 2 81i moves into locking engagement with the lower ends of the links 36 thus locking the slide-42 and with it the diaphragm support Z4 in its down position.

During this portion of the operation the vertically movable stop I 6 8 prevents rearward movement of the valve member toprovide communicationbetween the pipe I28and the pipe I32 so that-pressurecannot be applied behind the dia-- Dhr-a'g-ms I0 and I2 until the diaphragm I-2- is in" operative relation to the diaphragm I 0? The stop [68'is mb leddownwafdlyi hOWeVer, after the s1ide42 reaches its lowermost position and is locked therein by-the bar 802 Forthis purpos'e the'bar' I80 c'arrie'sa roll I8 4 which cooperates with anarm- I3 6 pi'voted at I88 to "the lower end ofthe stop It8 and'='pivoted*at- I90 to the base of the-machine. With the piston I36 in its-rearward position the roll I84-holds-the arm I86 in a substantially horizontal position so that-the stop I68is in the pathof movement of the collar I24 carried by thestem of thevalve' memberIIfi: The: forward end of the arm I86" is cut aw'ay'at I92 sothat when theroll Ietmoves into its for= ward; position ass-hown in Fig. it permits the forward end of the arm' ltbto drop suffi'cientl'y to withdraw the stop I 68 from engagement with the collar I 24'.

The operator may now move the v'alvemem her I I-6-to itsrearmost position permitting com munication between pipe I28 and'pipe I32 to sup p y pressurefluid to the chambersi4 and 28' forcing-the transfers into intimate contact with the work.

After the pressure has been applied for arsuitable length of time the operator releases the" knob I I 8 whereupon the valve; member I I is moved forwardly by the-spring I201 The pipes' I30 and I32 are now; placed in communication with an exhaust port I94 in the rearward end of the valve housing permitting exhaust of the pressure fluid from the pressure chambers I4, 28 and from the cylinder I34. To insure that the pressure in the chambers 24 and 28 will drop sufiiciently before the slide 42 moves upwardly so as to eliminate danger of the diaphragms I0, I2 being ruptured when they are separated, the return movement of the piston I36 is retarded sufiiciently so that the bar I80 will not move out of locking engagement with the lower ends of the links 86 prematurely. For this purpose the pipe I30 has in it a restriction I36 which is by-passed by a check valve I93 which permits free flow of pressure fluid into the cylinder I34 but the check valve prevents return flow through it so that the fluid exhausting from the cylinder must pass through the restriction 2'93. During this return movement of the piston the pipe 30 is cut on from the source of suction by movement of the piston rod I38 which carries the port I70 out of register with the ports I74, H8 in the block I18.

If the pivotal connections of the links 86 with the arms 88, 38 are at or beyond dead center position with respect to the shaft 92 and pins 94 it will be necessary to move the links manually past dead center before the spring 83 is effective to raise the slide 42. Accordingly, a lever 20!! (Fig. 2) carried by the side of the machine base is provided, this lever having a portion 252 engageable with the arms 88, 32 at that side of the machine so that upon depression of the forward end of the lever the arms are moved in a counterclockwise direction sufficiently to permit the slide 5):

42 to be moved upwardly by the spring 68. A spring 284 normally holds the lever 2433 in the position shown in Fig. 2 with the portion 232 in engagement with a stop screw 2%.

It is sometimes desirable to apply a water spray to either or both of the diaphragms prior to the application of pressure therethrough to the work. For this purpose water jets 2B8, 2H] (Fig. 2) are provided, the former being arranged to spray upwardly and the latter downwardly. The jet 208 is supported by a pipe 2I2 connected to a T- junction 2M while the jet 225 is supported by a pipe 2I6 connected to the junction 2I4, there being a suitable shutoff 2 IS in the pipe 2H3 so that the pipe 208 may be operated alone if desired.

A pipe 220 connects the bottom of the T-junetion 2M to a water valve 222 into which water under pressure is supplied through a pipe 224. Opening of the valve 222 to admit water to the jets is eiiected by rearward movement of a lever 226 pivoted at 228, the valve 222 normally being held closed by a spring (not shown).

Projecting forwardly from the upper end of the lever 22% are spaced ears 233 (Fig. 3) between which is pivoted an arm 232. This arm carries a roll 234 arranged for engagement by a curved arm 233 (Fig. 2) carried by one of the arms 88, the arrangement being such that as the arms 88, 9B are rotated in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 2, during downward movement of the slide 42, the arm 233 engages the roll 234 and moves it rearwardly moving the lever 226 rearwardly to open the valve 222. As shown in Fig. 3 the arm 232 carrying the roll 234 has a fiat portion 238 cooperating with a correspondingly flattened surface between the ears 233 so that the arm 232 cannot rotate in a counterclockwise direction beyond the position shown in Fig. 3. Consequently, upon rearward movement of the roll 234 the lever 226 is moved therewith as a unit. As the slide 8. 42 continues its downward movement the arm 236 moves out of contact with the roll 234 permitting closure of the valve 222 so that the water is sprayed on the diaphragms for a short period only.

The sprays 208, 2H] may if desired be manually controlled at the will of the operator. For this purpose the arm 232 is swung upwardly into the broken line position of Fig. 2. The roll 234 is carried by the arm 232 on a pin 24!! which projects laterally beyond the arm to engage a slot 242 in the rearward end ofa link 244, the forward end of which is pivoted to one end of a lever 248. The other end of this lever is connected by a link 248 to a lever 250 pivoted at 252 to the base of the machine. By moving the upper end of the lever 250 rearwardly against the action of a light spring 254 the link 244 is moved forwardly so that the arm 232 may be swung upwardly to bring the pin 240 into alinement with the slot 242. Upon release of the handle the parts move into the positions shown in Fig. 2. If now the operator moves the lever 250 rearwardly still further which movement is normally opposed by the spring in the valve 222, the lever 226 is moved to open the valve and admit water to one or both of the sprays 208, 2 I 0. Upon release of the lever 250 the spring within the valve 222 returns the parts to the positions shown. With the arm 232 in its broken line position as shown in Fig. 2 it will be understood that it is out of the path of movement of the curved arm 236 so that the sprays will not be operated automatically in the downward movement of the slide 42.

Referring now to Fig. 10, upper and lower diaphragms 258, 258 are provided, which are preshaped generally in accordance with the contour of a saucer blank. Each of these diaphragms comprises a layer of substantially nonporous rubber 230 to the work contacting face of which is cemented or otherwise suitably secured a layer of sponge rubber 262. The sponge rubber presents a pitted surface which assists in the dissipation of any air pockets which may be present between the rubber and the work thus insuring good overall contact between the work and the rubber.

Fig. 11 illustrates diaphragms 264, 266 having sponge rubber facings 268, 210, the diaphragms being suitably shaped to accommodate a cup blank. It will be noted that the lower diaphragm 236, 21c has a suitably shaped recess to accommcdate the handle of the blank.

In the operation of the machine a transfer is placed upon the work piece which is then placed upon the lower diaphragm while the upper diaphragm is in the elevated position shown in Fig. 2. In the event that the work piece is a plate blank it may be that a transfer will be applied only to its upper surface in which case the arm 232 will be disconnected from the link 244 so that the jet 203 operates to spray the upper diaphragm automatically upon downward movement of the slide 42 the jet 2H] being shut off at 218. If, however, the work piece is to have transfers applied to both sides as may be the case in a blank for a cup it may be desirable to spray both the upper and lower diaphragms in which case the jet 2"! will be rendered operative and the arm 232 moved into the broken line position in Fig. 2 and connected with the link 244. The hand lever 250 will then be operated prior to insertion of the work in the machine to cause both cliaphragms to be sprayed with water.

aeeaeea :the work piece P placed "on the .lower diaphragm the lever 166 .(Fig. fl) is depressed to open the valve I62 and admitifluid pressure into the pipe 82 which thereupon acts upon the piston 80 causing the slide '42 to be lowered against the action of the spring 68. -The slide moves downwardly into the position shown in Fig. 4 at which time the work piece .is engaged by the upper and lower diaphragms, there being formed around the work piece an annular space .in room- :munication with the pipe 36. During this downward movement of the slide 42 the shaft 92 turns through approximately 180 until the lower portions of the links '86 move into engagement with adjustable stop screws 212 carried by the :base 36. Rotation ref the shaft :92 also causes movement of the pawl I49] into the position shown in .Elg. 6 permitting rearward movement of the valve member i 15 by the operator. This valve membericannot thus be operated until the upper diaphragm is in its lower position thus insuring against rupture of the diaphragms by the inadvertent premature application of pressure fluid into the spaces behind them.

Upon moving the valve member i It rearwardiy to the position shown in Fig. 4 pressure fluid acts on the piston I36 moving it forwardly so that the pipe at is connected to a source of suction and the air between the diaphragms is exhausted. The piston moves forwardly until the bar 1 38 engages the lower end portions of the links 86 to lock the slide 42 in its down position. At the same time the roll it carried by the bar 180 permits the forward end of the arm I86 to drop withdrawing the stop I68 from the path of movement of the collar +24 on the stem of the valve member 1 46. This stop insures that the upper diaphragm 12 and its support 24 with the slide 42 are locked in their down positions before the valve 1 12 can be operated to supply fluid pressure behind the diaphragms. The valve member H6 can now be moved to its rearmost position whereupon pressure fluid flows into the chambers 14, 28 through pipes I06, 96 respectively so that the design on the transfer is suitably impressed upon the blank.

After .a suitable interval the operator releases the knob :H-B permitting forward movement of the valve member under the influence of the spring 1.29. The chambers 14 and -28 are now placed in communication with the exhaust port 84 as in the cylinder I34. However, the pressure will drop in the chambers H, 28 more rapidly than in the cylinder 434 because the pressure fluid must pass from the cylinder through the restriction 195. pressure has dropped :sufliciently in the cylinder 1 34 the piston is moved rearwardly by the springs I82 withdrawing the bar I80 from looking engagement with the lower ends of links 86 permitting upward movement of the slide 42. This upward movement may be initiated if necessary by depression or the lever 20!).

During the first part of the counterclockwise rotation of the shaft 92 (Fig. 4) the pawl M6 and the collar 142 (Fig. 7) move as a unit under the action of the ball M4 in the groove I 56, until the ball M6 enters the groove 154. At this time the nose portion oi the pawl engages the collar I24 as shown in and the collar M2 completes its turning movement without the pawl M0. Thus upon return of the parts to the positions shown in Fig. '7 the pawl M0 is locked by engagement of the ball M6 in the groove I54 in a position to obstruct depression of the knob H8} As soon, however, as the 1b and the "pawl can not be accidentally dislodged from this position.

.Having thus described the invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. Apparatus for impressing paint .irom a transfer upon a pottery blank comprising a pair of flexible 'diaphragm's arranged for engagement with opposite sides of a work piece placed therebetween, supports for said diaphragms, "said supports providing with said :diaphragms closed chambers into which pressure fluid may be ad.- mitted to .force said diaphragms toward each other to apply pressure to the opposite sides of the work piece placed therebetween, means mounting one of said supports for movements into and out of proximity to the other support to carry its diaphragm into and out of cooperative relation to the diaphragm on the other support, means for admitting pressure fluid :into said chambers, and means rendering said lastnamed i-means inoperative except when said supports are in proximity to each other.

2. Apparatus for impressing paint from :a transfer upon a pottery blank comprising a pair of flexible diaphragms arranged for engagement with opposite sides of a work piece placed therebetween, supports for said diaphragms, said supports providing with said diaphragms closed chambers into which pressure fluid may be admitted to force said diaphragms toward each other to apply pressure to the opposite sides of the work piece placed therebetween, means mounting one of said supports for movements into and out of proximity to the other support to carry its diaphragm into and out of cooperative relation to the diaphragm on the other support, means for locking said one of said supports in proximity to the other support, means for admitting pressure fluid into said chambers, and means rendering said last-named mean-s inoperative prior to operation of said locking means;

3. Apparatus for impressing paint from a transfer upon a pottery blank comprising a pair of flexible diaphragms arranged for engagement with opposite sides of a work piece placed therebetween, supports 'for said diaphragms, said sup ports providing with said diaphragms closed chambers into which pressure fluid may be admitted to force said diaphragms toward each other to apply pressure to the opposite sides of the Work piece placed therebetween, means mounting one of said supports for movements into and out of proximity to the other support to carry its diaphragm into and out of cooperative relation to the diaphragm on the other support, means cooperating with said diaphragms to form a closed chamber therebetween when the diaphragms are in cooperative relation to each other, means for first moving said one of said supports into proximity to the other, means for then withdrawing the air from the chamber between said diaphragms, means for then supplying pressure fluid to the first-named chambers, and means preventing operation of said last-named means until the movable support has moved into proximity to the other support.

4. Apparatus for impressing paint from a transfer upon a pottery blank comprising a pair of flexible diaphragms arranged for engagement with opposite sides of a work piece placed therebetween, supports for said diaphragms, said supports providing with said diaphragms closed chambers into which pressure fluid may be admitted to force said diaphragms toward each other to apply pressure to the opposite sides of pressure-operated means and into a second position to supply pressure fluid to said chambers.

5. Apparatus for impressing paint from a transfer upon a pottery blank comprising a pair of flexible diaphragms arranged for engagement with opposite sides of a work piece placed therebetween, supports for said diaphragms, said supports providing with said diaphragms closed chambers into which pressure fluid may be admitted to force said diaphragms toward each other to apply pressure to the opposite sides of the work piece placed therebetween, means mounting one of said supports for movements into and out of proximity to the other support to carry its diaphragm into and out of cooperative relation to the diaphragm on the other support, fluid-pressure-operated means for moving said one of said supports into proximity to the other support, means for admitting pressure fluid into said chambers, a valve movable into one position to supply pressure fluid to said fluidpressure-operated means and into a second position to supply pressure fluid to said chambers, and means preventing movement of said valve into said second position until the movable support has moved into proximity to the other support.

6. Apparatus for impressing paint from a transfer upon a pottery blank comprising a pair of flexible diaphragms arranged for engagement with opposite sides of a work piece placed therebetween, supports for said diaphragm, said supports providing with said diaphragms closed chambers into which pressure fluid may be admitted to force said diaphragms toward each other to apply pressure to the opposite sides of the work piece placed therebetween, means mounting one of said supports for movements into and out of proximity to the other support to carry its diaphragm into and out of cooperative relation to the diaphragm on the other support, means for moving said one of said supports toward the other support, means for admitting pressure fluid into said chambers, means preventing admission of pressure fluid into said cham bers until said movable support is in operative relation to said other support, and means preventing separation of said supports until the pressure fluid has been exhausted from said chambers.

7. Apparatus for impressing paint from a transfer upon a pottery blank comprising a pair of flexible diaphragms arranged for engagement with opposite sides of a work piece placed therebetween, supports for said diaphragms, said sup ports providing with said diaphragms closed chambers into which pressure fluid may be admitted to force said diaphragms toward each other to apply pressure to the opposite sides of the work piece placed therebetween, means mounting one of said supports for movements into and out of proximity to the other support to carry its diaphragm into and out of cooperative relation to the diaphragm on the other support, a

sealing ring associated with the periphery of one of said diaphragms and cooperating with the other diaphragm to form a closed work chamber between the diaphragms when the diaphragms are in operative relation to each other, means for exhausting air from said work chamber, means for admitting pressure fluid to said first-named chambers, and means preventing operation of said last-named means until the air has been exhausted from the work chamber.

8. Apparatus for impressing paint from a transfer upon a pottery blank comprising a pair of flexible diaphragms arranged for engagement with opposite sides of a work piece placed therebetween, supports for said diaphragms, said supports providing with said diaphragms closed chambers into which pressure fluid may be admitted to force said diaphragms toward each other to apply pressure to the opposite sides of the work piece placed therebetween, means mounting one of said supports for movements into and out of proximity to the other support to carry its diaphragm into and out of cooperative relation to the diaphragm on the other support, fiuid-pressure-operated means for moving said one of said supports into proximity to the other support, means for admitting pressure fluid into said chambers, and a valve movable into one position to connect the space between said diaphragms to a source of suction and into a second position to supply pressure fluid to said chambers.

9. Apparatus for impressing paint from a transfer upon a pottery blank comprising a pair of flexible diaphragms arranged for engagement with opposite sides of a work piece placed therebetween, supports for said diaphragms, said supports providing with said diaphragms closed chambers into which pressure fluid may be admitted to force said diaphragms toward each other to apply pressure to the opposite sides of the work piece placed therebetween, means mounting one of said supports for movements into and out of proximity to the other support to carry its diaphragm into and out of cooperative relation to the diaphragm on the other support, fiuid-pressure-operated means for moving said one of said supports into proximity to the other support, means for admitting pressure fluid into said chambers, a valve movable into one position to connect the space between said diaphragms to a source of suction and into a second position to supply pressure fluid to said chambers, and means preventing movement of said valve into the first position until the movable support is in operative relation to the other support.

10. Apparatus for impressing paint from a transfer upon a pottery blank comprising a pair of flexible diaphragms arranged for engagement with opposite sides of a work piece placed therebetween, supports for said diaphragms, said supports providing with said diaphragms closed chambers into which pressure fluid may be admitted to force said diaphragms toward each other to apply pressure to the opposite sides of the work piece placed therebetween, means mounting one of said supports for movements into and out of proximity to the other support to carry its diaphragm into and out of cooperative relation to the diaphragm on the other support, fluid-pressure-operated means for moving said one of said supports into proximity to the other support, means for admitting pressure fluid into said chambers, a valve movable into one position to connect the space between said diaphragms to a source of suction after the mov able support is in operative relation to the other support and into a second position to supply pressure fluid to said chambers, and means controlling the movement of said valve to insure the above sequence of operations.

11. Apparatus for impressing paint from a transfer upon a pottery blank comprising a pair of flexible diaphragms arranged for engagement with opposite sides of a work piece placed therebetween, supports for said diaphragms, said supports providing with said diaphragms closed chambers into which pressure fluid may be admitted to force said diaphragms toward each other to apply pressure to the opposite sides of the work piece placed therebetween, means mounting one of said supports for movements into and out of proximity to the other support to carry its diaphragm into and out of cooperative relation to the diaphragm on the other support, fluid-pressure-operated means for moving said one of said supports into proximity to the other support, means for admitting pressure fluid into said chambers, a valve movable into one position to connect the space between said diaphragms to a source of suction and into a second position to supply pressure fluid to said chambers, and means operative upon return movement of said valve to exhaust the air between said chambers before permitting separation of said supports.

12. Apparatus for impressing paint from a transfer upon a pottery blank comprising upper and lower flexible diaphragms for operating upon opposite sides of a work piece placed therebetween, supports for said diaphragms, means for moving one of said supports toward and away from the other support, a spray nozzle directed toward the diaphragm carried by the upper support when the supports are separated, and means operative in response to movement of said one of said supports toward the other support for momentarily connecting said nozzle to a source of water.

13. Apparatus for impressing paint from, a transfer upon a pottery blank comprising upper and lower flexible diaphragms for operating upon opposite sides of a work piece placed therebetween, supports for said diaphragms, means for moving the upper support toward and away from the lower support, a spray nozzle directed toward the diaphragm carried by the upper support when the support is in a raised position, means operative in response to downward movement of the upper support for momentarily connecting said nozzle to a source of water, means rendering said last-named means inoperative, and means for manually connecting said nozzle to the source of water.

14. Apparatus for impressing paint from a transfer upon a pottery blank comprising upper and lower flexible diaphragms for operating upon opposite sides of a work piece placed therebetween, supports for said diaphragms, means for moving the upper support toward and away from the lower support, a spray nozzle directed toward the diaphragm carried by the upper support when the support is in a raised position, means operative in response to downward movement of the upper support for momentarily connecting said nozzle to a source of water, means rendering said last-named means inoperative, means for manually connecting said nozzle to the source of water, and a second nozzle connected to said first nozzle to be controlled therewith, said second nozzle being directed toward the diaphragm on the lower support.

15. Apparatus for impressing paint from a transfer upon a pottery blank comprising upper and lower flexible diaphragms for operating upon opposite sides of a work piece placed therebetween, supports for said diaphragms, means for moving the upper support toward and away from the lower support, a spray nozzle directed toward the diaphragm carried by the upper support when the support is in a raised position, means operative in response to downward movement of the upper support for momentarily connecting said nozzle to a source of water, and means operative when the upper support is in its lower position for directing pressure fluid to said diaphragms to force them toward each other and into engagement with opposite sides of the work piece therebetween.

NORMAN VICTOR GERMANY.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,782,852 Jeffray Nov. 25, 1930 1,872,693 Drake Aug. 23, 1932 2,066,085 Whistler Dec. 29, 1936 2,324,411 Miller et a1 July 13, 1943 2,438,514 Miller Mar. 30, 1948 2,519,661 Johnson Aug. 22, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 571,548 Great Britain Aug. 29, 1945 

